UK secretly orders Apple to let it spy on iPhone users worldwide
The UK government has issued an order to Apple telling it to allow officials full access to any iCloud content belonging to any user across the globe.UK ParliamentDuring Conservative Boris Johnson's tenure as Prime Minister, the UK government claimed to be in discussions with Apple about creating a backdoor into iOS that would allow it access to all user data. If there really ever were such discussions, they will have been short because US company Apple has refused the FBI the same thing.Now the new Labour government in the UK is demanding that Apple create this backdoor, according to The Washington Post. Under UK law, it is a criminal offense for Apple to even reveal that such a demand has been made, and so consequently the company has refused to comment. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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I received the worst iPhone text scam ever. Thanks, Apple
Macworld Last month, we covered a new SMS phishing scam specifically targeting iPhone users. The idea behind the scheme is to trick the recipient into replying to a text in order to activate a link, which would then be clicked, either purposefully or inadvertently, and activate a piece of malware. Messages in iOS 18 has a feature that turns off hyperlinks when receiving a text from a number that’s not in your Contacts list. That extra bit of security makes it difficult for scammers to trick you into clicking their links—unless you then reply, which unlocks the link. The idea is that the original text tricks you into replying with something as simple as a Y or N so the link will become clickable.  It’s usually a question or some kind of opt-out trick to get you to respond. But the one I received on Thursday was neither clever nor tricky. The first tip-off was the sender’s name, which was too long to even display on the screen: hanwen.zhanyi.1991_zhongweicong-yulunchui@musician.org. The second clue was the message text, which told me my car had an unpaid toll and asked me to “settle properly” to avoid “excessive late fees.”  Foundry After all that scary text was a web address without a hyperlink because the number was unknown. Instead of trying to trick me into responding, however, the rest of the message read: “Please reply Y, then exit the SMS and reopen to activate the link, or copy the link to your Safari browser and open it.” That’s about as obvious as a smishing attempt can get. I suppose it’s possible that an unsuspecting user could unwittingly follow those instructions and open their phone to malware, but mostly it’s just an advertisement for Apple’s excellent security measures to prevent attacks before they can even start.  So sorry, hanwen.zhanyi.1991_zhongweicong-yulunchui@musician.org, maybe next time try an Android user.

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Ugreen CM850 USB4 Enclosure review: Fast 40Gbps with any NVMe SSD
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Fastest external enclosure outside of Thunderbolt 5 Super affordable for 40Gbps USB4 Handsome, easy-access design with silicon jacket Cons Thermal issues under super heavy load with jacket on Our Verdict UGreen’s solid, good-looking CM850 USB4 enclosure outperforms everything except Thunderbolt 5, and gives that more than a run for its money in real-world transfers. it also does so for significantly less cash. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$90 Best Prices Today: Ugreen CM850 USB4 NVMe enclosure Retailer Price $89.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket If you’ve shopped Thunderbolt in your quest for fast external Mac storage, you’ll know that sticker shock is often a pitfall of the process. You can reduce the monetary jolt by switching your search to USB4, which, being an outgrowth of Intel’s PCIe over-a-wire technology is just as fast as Thunderbolt 4. And it’s significantly cheaper than Thunderbolt, especially if you roll your own with something such as the UGreen CM850 NVMe M.2 enclosure. The CM850 is a more affordable version of the Ugreen’s CM642 that uses the same ASMedia ASM2464PD chip. It’s a gun-metal gray aluminum enclosure that’s approximately 4.75 by 2.1 by 0.6 inches and weighs 4.4 ounces. Its heft is nice, as is the top panel that pops off to reveal the internal M.2/NVMe slot that supports 2230 (22mm wide, 30mm long) to 2280 SSDs secured by a captive screw. The panel doesn’t have small screws to deal with (or lose). The CM850’s interior M.2 slot. Note the fan underneath the screw that’s used to secure the NVMe SSD. Your options on the Mac for 20Gbps/40Gbps performance are Thunderbolt 3, 4, or 5, all of which involve significantly pricier enclosures, and are not supported on the majority of Windows machines. That can be important if you work in a mixed environment. Adding an NVMe SSD to the CM850 will cost you anywhere from $40 (256GB) to $650 (8TB), with the sweet spot being the 1TB ($60) to 2TB ($160) range. Note that USB4 (or Thunderbolt for that matter) can’t use the extra bandwidth provided by PCIe 4.0 or 5.0 SSDs. PCIe 3.0 SSDs are quickly disappearing, but the point is, don’t overbuy. Beyond that, avoid QLC SSDs if you regularly write large amounts of data, and buy a DRAM design if you’re going to run an operating system off the drive or want top random performance. The best bang for the buck however will be cheaper TLC host memory buffer (HMB) drives. The CM850 with it’s silicone jacket in place. Artistically lit as well… Ugreen CM850: Performance The CM 850 is darn fast. In fact, in the aggregate, it’s the fastest external SSD we’ve tested. Take that with several grains of salt, however, as I populated the CM850 with the super-fast 8TB WD850X for my testing. Also, the Thunderbolt 5 OWC Envoy Ultra was significantly faster in Mac synthetic benchmarks, though its real-world transfers were little faster than SSDs with less haughty benchmark results. The charmingly simple, but generally quite accurate Disk Speed Test from Blackmagicdesign shows the 3GBps plus you get both reading and writing with the CM850–given a suitably fast NVME SSD inside. The charmingly simple, but generally quite accurate Disk Speed Test from Blackmagicdesign shows the 3GBps plus you get both reading and writing with the CM850 — given a suitably fast NVME SSD inside. AmorphousDiskMark (a port of the original CyrstalDiskMark) also shows well over 3GBps transfers. AmorphousDiskMark (a port of the original CyrstalDiskMark) also shows well over 3GBps transfers. ATTO Disk Benchmark says that the CM850 is perfectly capable of utilizing much of the performance any NVMe SSD will deliver. Within the confines of 40Gbps that is. PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 SSDs can go much faster than the 3GBps USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 allow. ATTO Disk Benchmark says that the CM850 is perfectly capable of utilizing much of the performance any NVMe SSD will deliver. Within the confines of 40Gbps that is. PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 SSDs can go much faster than the bus allows. I also ran the CM850 through PCWorld’s battery of tests, which is how that “fastest” claim is substantiated. The following are the results from CrystalDiskMark 8, as well as PCWorld’s 48GB transfers and 450GB write. These are all run on the PCWorld storage test bed’s Thunderbolt 4 ports, not a Mac. They’re still indicative of superior performance — given a superior NVMe SSD inside of course. Overall, the CM850 is number one among all external SSDs tested on that platform, with the CM642 finishing a very close second. That said, the Adata SE920 and OWC Express 1M2 are still both very fast drives that didn’t have the uber fast WD 8TB SN850X to help out. The UGreen siblings give their pre-populated rivals more than a run for their money. Keep in mind the super fast WD SN850X was inside. Longer bars are better. In both CrystalDiskMark 8’s sequential (above), and random (below) performance tests, the CM850 did very well. The UGreen siblings didn’t dominate in the 4K tests, but the results are still very good. Again, the super fast WD SN850X inside helped. Longer bars are better. The CM850, again with the aid of the WD SN850X was the fastest external enclosure we’ve tested with our 48GB transfers. The CM850 and its cousin bested both their rivals in our 48GB transfers, though the difference is within the margin of error. Shorted bars are better. The CM850 turned in the fastest 450GB write we’ve seen from an external drive. Bear in mind that the CM642 had the same 8TB WD SN850X inside. The WD SN850X allowed the UGreen enclosures to finish number 1 and 2 in our all time 450GG write times. Shorter bars are better. I did run into an issue with the CM850. While performing the 450GB write in the PCWorld testing, the drive would disappear with the sleeve on. No doubt due to thermal issues, internal fan or no. Removing the silicone jacket allowed it to finish, as did running a fan over it. Other than that, I was absolutely delighted with the CM850’s performance. (Who other than PCWorld writes 450GB files on a regular basis?) Should you buy the Ugreen CM850? The CM850 (or its pricier CM642 cousin) is an absolutely fantastic way to add 40Gbps storage to your Mac without paying that heavy Thunderbolt surtax. If you already have an NVMe SSD great, if you don’t, buy one and have at it. Good job, Ugreen.

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I still trust Apple–but how much longer is the question
Macworld I had a strange experience recently. I reached for my MacBook Pro to start work at around 7 am one day (before my first coffee, even!) and discovered that the device, stowed in my bag since the day before, was alarmingly warm. What was going on? Now, the machine is more than four years old and already a bit beat up. But I hadn’t dropped it, nor was there any other reason to fear thermal runaway (aka “imminent battery explosion”). Maybe it was something to do with macOS 15.3, which I had already downloaded during the day? The computer might have tried to install the update overnight. But not when it’s closed, you’d think. The suspicion turned out to be correct. When I opened up the Mac, its screen was completely black… apart from the film of dirt built up over the past four years, which really comes into its own when the machine is switched off. I plugged the Mac into a power supply. Nothing happened at first; fearing that the battery was almost flat, I had at least expected it to display the sad face screen once power was connected. My MacBook Pro strangely decided to install a macOS update—even though it was supposed to be asleep.Petter Ahrnstedt I then pressed the power button, and after a short time, the Apple logo appeared. Five minutes later, the familiar boot process, which fills several progress bars in a row after a system update, was complete and I was able to start working on a MacBook Pro that was now getting noticeably cooler. Back to business as usual, then. But I couldn’t help worrying. Sure, a desktop Mac installs downloaded system updates during the night, even if you haven’t shut it down in the evening but just put it to sleep. But surely a MacBook Pro that’s closed and stowed away in a briefcase should sleep much deeper than a Mac mini, iMac, or Mac Studio? That was the sort of common-sense approach that I trusted Apple to adopt. Now my trust has been shaken. Who can you trust these days? Your own experience and acquired knowledge, your own intuition? Institutions like the WHO? Or a company like Apple that feels like an institution to long-standing customers? On balance, I have decided that yes, we can trust Apple, even if it seems to be doing a lot these days to squander that trust. On far more serious issues than those that result in a hot MacBook Pro. Testing our trust At the end of January, we learned of a security gap in Apple silicon chips from M2 and A15 onwards that allows attackers to access sensitive data. According to the researcher who found the vulnerability, Apple has been aware of it for some time but has still not responded with a security update. iOS 18.3 and macOS 15.3 have closed some gaps and bolstered security, but the two vulnerabilities in SLAP and FLOP were not included. This is probably what prompted the Georgia Institute of Technology to go public. The Apple Watch has come under criticism for the safety of its bands.Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry At least the security researchers confirmed Apple’s statement that there is no immediate danger. This makes us feel better about the issue not being addressed until iOS 18.3.1 or iOS 18.4. The release of the findings may have accelerated matters, of course. In the same month, toxins were discovered in smartwatch bands. As Apple is not only the best-known brand in this sector, but also by far the market leader, a class-action lawsuit was only filed against the Cupertino-based company. Apple put out a statement insisting that its wristbands do not pose any health risks, and we trust this statement. Apple explained years ago that it would ban toxic PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) from its products, and that this was a long-term process. The company has repeatedly succeeded in removing environmental toxins from its products, often as a pioneer for the entire industry. PVC and brominated flame retardants have both been raised as concerns in the tech industry, and both are addressed in Apple’s environmental FAQs. But that’s the thing about trust. It doesn’t matter how hard you work to earn it; once you lose it, it’s difficult to regain. One breach of trust could be one too many. On thin ice I haven’t lost my trust in Apple, and the answer to the question in the headline is yes. However, in these times when the ice of civilization is growing thinner and thinner, the smallest thing could be enough to break through and drown in the waters below. I hope Apple will prove itself more resistant to declarations about the Gulf of Mexico, tariffs, and, most of all, diversity and inclusion. Simply put, how can Cupertino make the best products if it can no longer hire the best minds in the world? And how can the company be trusted if it betrays its cherished principles? (To be fair, there have been some positive indications in this direction.) In the next pandemic, people around the world may need Apple (and Google) to prove themselves more trustworthy than the U.S. health authorities. I also have to trust that Tim Cook knew what he was doing when he donated $1m from his personal fortune for the presidential inauguration. Because there’s a hell of a lot at stake, and in the end, trust is all you have.

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OCR-based crypto wallet theft programs surface in Apple, Android app stores
It’s a bit of a technical story about apps that wound up on both the Apple and Google app stores, but it’s interesting. In March 2023, a group of security researchers at ESET discovered malware implants embedded into various messaging app mods. Some of these scanned users’ image galleries in search of crypto wallet access […] Source

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Former iPhone 7 owners begin receiving payouts up to $349 as a result of class action lawsuit
If you have an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus model, the legal system just worked in your favor via a class action lawsuit. In 2023, Apple agreed to pay $35 million to settle a U.S. class action lawsuit that alleged that both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models were prone to audio […] Source

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Sonos scrapped plans for MagSafe iPhone speaker
Sonos prototyped a MagSafe speaker for iPhone, eventually scrapping the project due to limited market reach and technical limitations. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Can’t connect to the internet? Check for a firewall or VPN failure
Macworld People write in with mysteries all the time. One is why their Mac (and sometimes other devices) will seemingly connect to a Wi-Fi network just fine but not be able to access the internet via that connection. They know the password and network are both correct: they have other devices, like an iPhone, connected without a problem. The culprit is usually a firewall or VPN. Most people no longer use firewall software, even though macOS continues to offer it as an available feature in System Settings > Network. Apple’s is largely an application firewall, one that allows apps to communicate in and out, rather than a network one that can be configured to block incoming addresses, connections to certain internet ports on your computer, and other activities. (This is available from the command line in macOS, however.) If you use a third-party firewall that blocks traffic and can’t connect to the internet after making a valid Wi-Fi connection, check its rules and configuration. You may need to disable it for a moment or enable an option that prompts you to allow a new network configuration before proceeding. It’s more likely that you have a VPN (virtual private network) enabled for work, school, or personal protection. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and some other point on the Internet, which may be inside a corporate or academic network’s firewall or in a data center when you’re using a VPN you pay for as a service. The trouble isn’t the VPN but the VPN’s ability to connect. When you connect to Wi-Fi, your VPN settings may have the service try to connect with its counterpart at the other end of the tunnel. If it can’t make that connection, it can appear that you have no internet connection. The solution is to either disable or remove the VPN. Depending on the VPN’s settings, you may be able to just flip its switch off; in some cases, you may need to disable an option that has it try to always make a VPN connection as soon as you connect to a network. VPN settings are located in Settings (iOS/iPadOS) or System Settings (macOS) at the top level if enabled or in Network. Configurations may be nested under VPN & Filters, depending on your version of the operating system. You can remove a VPN configuration by clicking or tapping the i (info) icon to the right of its name, clicking or tapping Remove Configuration, and confirming the operation. In iOS or iPadOS, you can also go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, select the VPN’s profile, tap Remove Profile, and confirm. This Mac 911 article is in response to a question submitted by Macworld reader Ken. Ask Mac 911 We’ve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently, along with answers and links to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your question is covered. If not, we’re always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours to mac911@macworld.com, including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used. Not every question will be answered; we don’t reply to emails, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.

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The only thing missing from this tech bundle? A mic drop.
Macworld Some deals are so good they make you do a double-take. A refurbished Apple iPad 7 and Beats Flex Wireless Headphones for just $174.99 (reg. $299.99)? This bundle gives you everything you need to work, stream, create, and vibe—all without breaking the bank. The Apple iPad 7 is your go-to device for productivity, entertainment, and everything in between. The 10.2″ Retina display delivers stunning visuals, whether binge-watching your favorite series or sketching out your next big idea. With the A10 Fusion chip, this iPad easily handles multitasking while the long-lasting battery keeps you going all day. It also comes with a case, charging accessories, a stylus, and a screen protector. The bundle also includes refurbished Beats Flex Wireless Headphones. Designed with an ergonomic fit and magnetic earbuds. The Apple W1 chip means seamless pairing with Apple devices, and Class 1 Bluetooth keeps your connection strong, whether you’re on a call, working out, or just ignoring reality for a bit. The iPad and Beats Flex are refurbished to like-new condition, meaning you get premium Apple performance at a fraction of the price. Don’t miss this iPad 7th Gen and Beats Flex Headphones Bundle while it’s just $174.99 (reg. $299.99).   Apple iPad 7th Gen (2019) 32GB WiFi Space Gray (Refurbished) with Beats Flex Headphones Bundle – $174.99 Get It Here StackSocial prices subject to change.

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iPhone SE 4 may drop as soon as next week
Apple will reportedly launch the iPhone SE 4 with a bigger display and Face ID as soon as next week via a press release. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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How to create your own Memories movies in Photos on iOS or iPadOS 18
There are now two ways to create Memories movies in Photos as of iOS 18.1 or later: one method is the same way you have done it in previous iOS versions, and the new one leverages Apple Intelligence if it's available on your device.You can create Memories movies in Photos using both pictures and video.To use the latter method, you'll need to have an iPhone that is capable of supporting Apple Intelligence. This means an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model.Making Memories without Apple Intelligence Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple's Long-Awaited Overhaul of iPhone SE Nears Release
Apple plans to unveil a long-anticipated overhaul of the iPhone SE in the coming days, a move that will modernize its lower-cost model in a bid to spur growth and entice consumers to switch from other brands. Bloomberg: The company expects to announce the device as early as next week, ahead of it going on sale later in the month, according to people with knowledge of the matter. [...] The new device, code-named V59, also will be Apple's first with an in-house cellular modem, replacing a component from Qualcomm, Bloomberg News has reported. It will have a larger screen with Face ID and also include a speedier A18 chip, which will help support Apple Intelligence. The removal of the home button from the iPhone SE means that Apple will have fully phased out the iconic interface, which debuted on the first iPhone in 2007. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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US senator wants to fine and jail those who use DeepSeek and other Chinese AIs
The Chinese AI chatbot “DeepSeek” has caused a lot of controversy in recent weeks. Although DeepSeek was launched in 2023, it became popular after the introduction of the “R1” model, which performs just as well as its competitors while using fewer resources. However, the Chinese AI may soon be banned in the US – with fines and imprisonment for those who use it. more…

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Report: iPad and MacBook Air stocks are ‘dwindling’ in Apple Stores
Bloomberg has just reported that MacBook Air stocks in Apple Stores around the world have been “dwindling,” which could be a hint at more new products coming soon. more…

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Mistral AI chatbot ‘Le Chat’ now available as a native app for iOS
Mistral, a French company specializing in AI tools, has just launched a native app for its chatbot “Le Chat” for iOS. While previously the tool was only available through the web, and iPad users can now download the app for a better experience. more…

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Apple details App Store tax changes in multiple markets, including Japan
Apple has announced updates to its App Store pricing and taxes for developers across different regions, with some changes being already in effect as of February 6.Apple has announced updates to taxes and pricing in multiple markets.According to the Apple Developer website, the company periodically adjusts prices or developer proceeds as a result of tax-related regulatory changes, or due to foreign exchange rates.The updates revealed by Apple on Thursday will directly impact developers in multiple countries across Europe, Asia, and South America. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iPhone SE 4 could be revealed by Valentine's Day
A report suggests Apple could reveal the iPhone SE 4 by February 14, which is in line with previous rumors around the budget phone.iPhone SE 4 arriving within a weekApple's next-generation iPhone SE could be the next to run Apple Intelligence, but at a much lower price. It is expected to look similar to the iPhone 14 but with a single camera on the rear.According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple could release the iPhone SE 4 "as early as next week." That means it could be announced anywhere between now and Valentine's Day. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Gurman: iPhone SE 4 with Apple modem, Face ID, and USB-C may launch next week
After years of rumors, Apple appears to finally be preparing to release the redesigned iPhone SE 4. Mark Gurman reports for Bloomberg that the new entry level iPhone could be announced as early as next week: more…

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Dubious leak purportedly details the exact specifications of Apple's foldable iPhone
Rumors of an alleged iPhone Fold have been floating around for years, but now a suspicious report claims to have revealed the exact specifications of the device.The specifications of Apple's foldable iPhone were allegedly posted online.The purported specs were shared via social media by leaker Jukanlosreve, formerly known as TechReve. Though the tipster has a history of accurate leaks, the details surrounding Apple's alleged foldable iPhone were attributed to "zwz" in the post, and were only highlighted by Jukanlosreve.Given that the information did not come from the leaker directly, it should be treated with a grain of salt, as this purported "zwz" has no verifiable track record. MacRumors, who originally reported on the information, has noted that they are also unfamiliar with the source. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Price drop: Generate images, text, logos and more with lifetime access to this AI platform
All-in-one platform gives businesses AI tools for writing, chatbots, and logo and art generation. Get a lifetime sub to AI MagicX for $99.99. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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